March 2025 Edition

WINTER CAMP AT THE OAKS BREAKS ALL EXPECTATIONS!

Over 670 attendees, 197+ decisions, 30+ organizations

God did abundantly beyond all we could ask, imagine, or believe in February and early March as we watched partner Passion SoCal take the lead on winter camps. It was amazing to be back on The Oaks property and to see the valley filled with laughing students, Hayford hall singing with worshipping crowds, and hungry groups sitting satisfied in Rosey Grier Commons having great conversations around the table.

God provide all we needed through your faithful generosity. The challenge match was met, and our translation equipment was put into action enabling students who are English learners to hear the messages in their native tongue. Take a look at our highlight videos below, which were produced for our students to see their action packed adventures, as well as a photo montage from the first weekend. They were blessed to roam the 700+ acres enjoying the zip line, leap of faith, crafts, go-karts, laser tag, air soft, archery, basketball, soccer, volleyball, and much more.

HIGHLIGHT VIDEOS - THREE VIEWS

WHAT IS NEXT FOR OMV?

We have achieved our goals and will dissolve July 1st, 2025

Since our start in November of 2020 in the midst of COVID, we had two goals - keep The Oaks property in Kingdom use and expand effective Christian camp programs which empower and equip urban youth, families, and leaders to thrive in faith and life. In June of 2024, our board determined we met these goals and that the best way to continue the ministry was to 'pay it forward' to a suitable neighborhood based local urban ministry that was empowered and equipped to continue the work. That ministry is Passion SoCal. Pastor Bobby and his team have been with us since day one when they created an impactful 'Save The Oaks' video for us and appeared in an interview on KKLA where their program manager, Cielo Arrioja, shared her story. Look for more on Passion SoCal in our April Newsletter. Pastor Bobby is pictured with Sean at the first winter camp below.

TWO GREAT EVENINGS OF CELEBRATION

A Score of Faithful Folks Gathered to Give God the Glory

A nice size group of OMV supporters, prayer partners and volunteers gathered Feb. 22 in Quartz Hill to celebrate what God has done through OMV to re-build life-changing Christian camp programs serving the least of these in Southern California. We enjoyed a great 'street taco' bar, a time of sharing God's goodness, and a closing prayer time before heading to The Oaks to take in the evening program. Thank you to board members Stacy Ralston, Lisa Olson, and Mike and Shannon McCleary for their parts in this event.

On the Tuesday, after the first retreat, Sean and videographer, Elias Johnson, gathered at Pastor Bobby Lopez's house in LA to enjoy tradition Mexican pot-roast with his leadership team and young adult leaders in training. It was a beautiful SoCal night. We got to reminisce a bit on how God got this movement going, and sustained us all through thick and thin leading to the pass off of ministry responsibility this year to Passion's capable hands. All Glory to God for what He has done to do a new work and keep camp accessible in an affordable and culturally responsive way in LA.

WHAT's NEXT FOR OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR?

Sean is working part time for OMV and beginning a new role at a local camp.

We need your continued support as Sean works part time wrapping up OMV's responsibilities, supporting Passion SoCal to a good start on 2026's camps, communicating with partners and donors, and attending to the legal paperwork needed to dissolve and file final financials with the state and federal governments.

Sean began a part time role as Asst. Property Manger at Trail Blazer's camp twenty minutes from his house just over the Delaware River from PA in NJ. He moves to full time in May. This camp began in 1887 as a part of the 'fresh air' movement of camps serving urban youth out of metro NYC. It was a Life Magazine sponsored camp until 1939 when they became independent. This organization continues to work with urban youth from Brooklyn, NY leading quality after school and day camp experiences at NYC public schools and in parks.

At overnight camp, they program two-week decentralized wilderness-based summer camps on a 1,000 acre property with a 55 acre lake complete with a great lodge. It adjoins the Appalachian trail, High Point state park and Stokes state forest in NJ. Sean is enjoying being in God's creation each day, out engineering beavers to keep the lake's spillway flowing, and making improvements that bless campers and staff with the property manager Steve Bates.

MINISTRY COMMUNICATION TRANSITIONS

Our bi-monthly prayer times and weekly 'Take 5' blog have ended

Because of the limited hours and work schedule of our Executive Director during this time of transition, we are ending our monthly zoom prayer times, and discontinuing our 'Take 5' blog. If you still wish to enjoy the great writing of Gem and Alan Fadling at Unhurried Living, please enroll in their content directly by going to their website. Much thanks to them for their willingness to let us share their content these last four years. Our monthly Newsletter, periodic letters, and social media posts will continue, although our social media posting tempo will slow some. Thank you for all who participated and enjoyed these great ministries, particularly our prayer warriors - you know who you are!